David Haig stars in the West End in a new production of Alan Bennett's The Madness of George III, opening officially at the West End's Apollo Theatre Jan. 23, following previews that began Jan. 18, for a run through March 31.

David Haig
Photo by Robert Day

The production was first seen at the Theatre Royal Bath last summer, as part of the annual Peter Hall Company season there. It has subsequently gone on an extensive UK tour. It is directed by Christopher Luscombe, whose 2008 production of Bennett's Enjoy for the Theatre Royal, Bath also transferred to the West End's Gielgud Theatre.

The Madness of George III originally premiered at the National Theatre in 1991 in a production starring the late Nigel Hawthorne and directed by Nicholas Hytner, who subsequently collaborated on bringing it to the screen in 1994, for which Hawthorne was Oscar-nominated.

George III was the third Hanoverian king of Great Britain. In spite of a catalogue of accomplishments – he founded the Royal Academy of Arts, was a passionate advocate of science, literature and music and fathered 15 children – he is best remembered today for his bouts of unbridled lunacy. Subjected to the appallingly cruel medical treatment of the day and assailed by power struggles between politicians and his scheming son, George remains throughout a sympathetic character – melancholy, moving, witty, and finally triumphant.

Haig has been seen in the West End in productions that have included the original casts of Yes Prime Minister, Mary Poppins, Hitchcock Blonde, Dead Funny and at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket in a revival of Edward Bond's The Sea and The Country Wife.

The cast also includes Clive Francis, Beatie Edney and Madhav Sharma.

To book tickets, contact the box office on 0844 412 4658, or visit www.nimaxtheatres.com.